Ruth Stoan, LPC

Ruth Stoan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and certified coach who brings 35 years of experience to individuals, couples, and families navigating transitions and emotional challenges. She holds an MA in Counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is licensed in Missouri as MO LPC 000702, combining formal training with years of practical work across private practice, community agencies, and care settings.

Ruth has supported clients through relationship struggles, grief and loss, stress and anxiety, life changes, and LGBTQ concerns, and has worked with people facing addictions and shifting family roles during aging or illness. A particular focus of her practice is helping women move through major life transitions as they explore questions of identity and purpose.

Her approach draws on a variety of therapeutic tools and evidence-informed methods. She integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered techniques, and cognitive-behavioral strategies with practical skills such as mindfulness, breath work, relaxation, imagery, and work to identify and clear limiting beliefs. Ruth and each client develop a collaborative plan aimed at skill building and meaningful change.

Ruth emphasizes strength-based work that empowers clients to let go of old patterns and build new habits that support the life they want. She offers video sessions as a primary way to connect, and is also available by phone and text during weekdays, some evenings, and by request on Saturdays. Ruth checks messages frequently and aims to be a steady advocate throughout the therapeutic process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Ruth integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered therapy, and cognitive-behavioral strategies into her online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking committed action while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be helpful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a compassionate, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client’s lead to build insight and self-direction - this approach supports identity questions, relationship concerns, and healing from loss. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop alternative skills for coping with depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy itself. Ruth works collaboratively with each person to determine what methods best fit their goals, needs, and preferences, and adjusts the plan over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to maintain continuity during transitions. These options increase flexibility for scheduling, allow work from home or other comfortable settings, and make ongoing support accessible for clients who live far from office-based services or who need varied communication styles.